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Often, as Christians we think the times of trial are the worst thing we will experience. However, seasons of abundance and celebration may be the very times danger is lurking. They may lull us into a false sense of security in the natural things of this world – our income, our status, our possessions, our intelligence our relationships, our environment. No matter how good these things make us feel they are temporary and not a guarantee of the future. In times of plenty we may stop praying and spending time with the Lord because we have no immediate needs. We may end up wandering away from God.
If we look at Israel’s example, it was often during their prosperous times they forgot the Living God who saved them and worshipped other idols.
There’s a long history of people who burned for God and made a spiritual impact on this world, before, unfortunately, falling away. Solomon is a case in point. The Lord appeared to him twice. Solomon was blessed with wisdom and wealth and he was famous and other kings and queens marvelled at him. He was wise and did so much good in his early years. However, in his later years his wives turned his heart after other gods.
Not that long ago, I too withdrew from God for a long season. I allowed myself to be offended by members of my congregation. I refused to go to church and influenced my husband to do the same. I felt so hurt that I began to believe lies and distortions of the truth about Christians and even about my own identity.
I knew God was there, but I stubbornly refused to turn my face toward Him. One thing I did do though, was pray for my children every night.
Within a short time I was tinkering with New Age and Buddhism – looking for comfort, power and strength in inanimate objects and relying on myself. Pretty useless really.
Five years later I was in a whirlwind of trouble. Although we now had a better income, bigger house, fancier car, raised status and “higher” lifestyle – things the world tells us will make us happy, I was anything but happy. We were in a lot of debt and argued all the time, blaming one another. I became a workaholic believing I was what I produced and owned. I didn’t trust anyone and started to believe I was a lesbian. My marriage was in tatters, and we separated, sold everything and paid off our debts. It is surprising how quickly a person can descend from grace.
Fortunately for me, my beloved husband Peter never gave up on me. Within two years we started repairing our relationship. I asked Peter for forgiveness, and he humbly gave it. We spoke honestly and transparently with one another. Which was probably a first, because both of us had held back in the past, never revealing our vulnerabilities nor risking true intimacy. We promised one another that we could talk about anything – no more secrets. We agreed that we could and probably would argue, but no matter how annoyed we might become with one another, divorce was no longer an option. And we moved back in together.
Our merciful God never abandoned me either. In fact, I know He was always there, I had rejected Him, but he never left me. I know that I know that I know that this verse is true:
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:12-14 (ESV)
The near death of my grandson several years later was what pointed me back to the Lord with a vengeance. God does not cause bad things to happen. However, He used everything, even the difficult times to bring me back to Him.
And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. …… But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Luke 15: 20, 22-24 (NKJV)
When I returned to the Lord, He welcomed me back like the prodigal son. He holds me close to His heart and I cling to Him. I never want to return to the void again. My faith in God is greater now than it has ever been. He’s returning the lost years that were stolen and the latter years are sweeter than the former years. My husband and I are closer and more in love than we ever were.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming [d]locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
26 You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.Joel 2:25-26 (NKJV)
If you have wandered away from God, know that He loves you and wants you to turn to Him. It is easier than you think. Ask forgiveness and invite Him back. Like the prodigal son’s father, He will run to you. He will meet you more than half-way.
If you have welcomed Him back, Congratulations! I encourage you to read the Word of God, particularly the gospels where Jesus demonstrates the will and nature of the Father. Take time daily to praise, worship and pray to God, to draw closer to Him. Then join a church community to encourage, teach and bless you in your walk with the Lord.
I hope you enjoyed this blog, please share it with your family and friends.. I’d love to hear if you’ve returned to God. If you’d like to comment or subscribe, so you don’t miss any posts, please fill out the section below. God bless you and your family.
References:
https://www.freebibleimages.org/
https://www.openbible.info/topics/
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
https://youtu.be/6xx0d3R2LoU?si=wCTZc8vXXZeXQ8a7
Jesus 4 Generations 
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